Get up offa that thing, p.22
Get Up Offa That Thing,
p.22
“Um-hmm,” Eddie mumbled.
I continued despite feeling foolish.
“Know that you can always say. ‘I notice I have a feeling, or I notice I have a thought…’ and in that way, you can distance yourself from it.”
Eddie nodded.
I waited a half of a minute. It was excruciating knowing he was laughing at me internally.
“Just let yourself observe whatever comes into your mind for a moment or two…” I kept quiet to let him experience it. I waited three minutes according to my phone. It was an eternity.
“Open your eyes, Eddie.” Eddie did as asked.
“What was that like?”
“I kept seeing my damn slice!” Eddie chuckled. He got a kick out of that.
I rolled my eyes.
“I know this isn’t your thing Eddie, but know that if things get to you, you can practice exercises like this. It doesn’t make disturbing thoughts go away, but it gives you distance from them.” I was looking him in the eye.
“Distance…” He said it with mock solemnity.
I sighed.
“Alright, Eddie,” I said. “That’s enough for this week.”
Eddie smiled on one side of his mouth. He got up a little too fast, careful enough not to roll his eyes or laugh. He took his empty coffee cup with him. He gave an exhale letting me know he thought, “Glad that’s over.”
As he got to the door, I called to him.
“Eddie?”
He turned and lifted his eyebrows as a response. He was a bit surprised.
“47 and 36,” I said.
He looked confused.
“Huh?”
“Actually 47, 36, and 5.”
Eddie furrowed his brow.
“What are you talking about, Dr. Trace?”
“Notre Dame has a 47-36 record over the Trojans…with five ties,” I said and repressed a grin.
He broke an authentic smile and nodded.
“See ‘ya, Dr. Trace,” he said.
Click here to learn more about Redeeming Trace by Tom Schreck.
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Gary Phillips, Get Up Offa That Thing
